First off, let me thank everyone for their insights and opinions concerning the subject of forgiveness.

Introduction
The old expression that familiarity breeds contempt is a good reason to post questions like this.

Sometimes the most dangerous topics within Christianity are those we all know so very well, and therefore end up studying rarely having developed an understanding of the subject, especially if they seem simple.

It is in asking these types of questions that should drive us to open the pages of our Bible and research yet again, allowing the Holy Spirit to connect Scripture with Scripture concerning a question which seems so very unusual because we all know it so well.

This also contributes to one of the greatest discriminations within theology in general, and Christianity in particular, that of the use of common Biblical words without having an absolute understanding of what they truly mean.

It is when we have heard words or teachings so many times that our mind stops thinking, stops processing, stops considering anything new; but in that we simply jump to an established conclusion.

Those conclusions, long recognized; serve to stop creative thinking, by following regulated interpretation.

It is concerning these types of issues, where we in the church start to interpret doctrine ourselves, that Jesus stated in Matthew 15:3 (& Matthew 15:6; Mark 7:8-9,13)

“Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition“

The literal Greek is:  “Ye make void the Word of God by your religious traditions”

In light of these statements, Chuck Missler has so wisely said:

“All of us are subject to the limitations imposed by the presumptions we bring to a topic,
and it may be essential to step back from time to time and reestablish a fresh perspective.”

“Because the only certain barrier to truth is the presumption that you already have it.”

Therefore, let us take a fresh look at forgiveness.

Generally Speaking: Concerning the Subject of Forgiveness
A) Biblically speaking, there is no disputing the fact that forgiveness is mandated by the Lord.  This is easily seen in Matthew 6:14-15, which states:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

The idea behind this is very simple in that a comparison is laid out to present a correct context.

This passage presents the idea of: “How dare we refuse to forgive a sin done to us where in comparison to the sin that we have done against God is much bigger (in that paying the price for our sin cost God the life of His Son).

We must keep in mind the justice of God wherein it is a fact that forgiveness is not to forget or to leave the trespass unpaid; forgiveness can only be provided when justice is served by the balance of punishment paid, and the person punished must be innocent, not deserving the punishment himself.

This disqualifies every human since Adam, leaving only God Himself as the only One without sin.

This also mandates that the completely righteous person paying the sin for other humans must be a human himself – kind for kind (this is a principle with God that everything must produce after its same kind as seen in Gen. 1:11,12,21,24,25;6:20;7:14; Lev. 11:14,15,16,19,22,29;19:19; Due. 14:13,14,15,18.  This principle includes repayment of lose, and retribution as well, and extends much further); which made it mandatory for the redeemer, God in the form of His Son, Jesus (God as any king stays in His fortress – heaven and sends out His Son and the Holy Spirit to do His Will outside of His throne room – heaven ~ Eph. 4:9 “Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?”) to become a human, “a little lower than the angels” (Heb. 2:7 ~ “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands” & Heb. 2:9 “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”); this is just part of the view of what paying for our sins meant in order for God to forgive us.

FORGIVENESS MAY BE FREE, BUT IT IS NOT CHEAP.

And in the case of a Christian when God demands for us to forgive another man’s sin against us, He is demanding that we suffer and pay the pain of not receiving justice – now.

In not seeking retribution which would in fact be justice according to God (how noble are the pacifists that say crime without punishment is morally superior, that sin without penalty is godly – Psa. 2:1-12).

You see God is demanding in the above passage that we forgo justice at this time, allowing for God to repay any justice that may be necessitated at a future time.

We give up our right for justice concerning the immediate, and in faith trusting God will do what is right.

Hence the reason for the use of the word “repay,” in the parable of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:35); as well as directly stated in Romans 12:19, which states:

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Therefore, the first issue at hand when it comes to forgiveness is that it is not the same as forgetting the violation was committed, that there is a price to be paid; rather addressed later by God himself.

And also our own willingness to suffer at the hands of others, and do good unto them as seen in the rest of chapter of Romans 12, in verses 20 through 21 which state:

“therefore if I enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good “

These two verses are quoted from Proverbs 25:21-22 (which coincides with what Nonni referred to in Matthew, the last part of chapter 5) which states:

“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.”

SIDETRIP: This expression: “heap coals of fire upon his head,” sounds very strange to us, yet in the Semitic area of the East this expression is more commonly understood, as is explained by Vines Word Studies, which states:

Coals of fire: Many explain: The memory of the wrong awakened in your enemy by your kindness, shall sting him with penitence.

This, however, might be open to the objection that the enemy’s pain might gratify the instinct of revenge. Perhaps it is better to take it, that kindness is as effectual as coals of fire.

Among the Arabs and Hebrews the figure of “coals of fire” is common as a symbol of divine punishment (Psa_18:13).

“The Arabians call things which cause very acute mental pain, burning coals of the heart and fire in the liver” (Thayer, “Lexicon”).

Thomas De Quincey, referring to an author who calls this “a fiendish idea,” says: “I acknowledge that to myself, in one part of my boyhood, it did seem a refinement of malice.

My subsidizing habits, however, even in those days, soon suggested to me that this aggravation of guilt in the object of our forgiveness was not held out as the motive to the forgiveness, but as the result of it; secondly, that perhaps no aggravation of his guilt was the point contemplated, but the salutary stinging into life of his remorse hitherto sleeping” (“Essays on the Poets”).

B) So to conclude this first point, forgiveness is not synonymous with devaluing or invalidating the offense committed.

Forgiving is never forgetting, and someone always ends up paying a price (as seen in the use of the word “debt” [Greek: opheilema] rather than the use of the word “sin” ~ see Matthew 6:12; 18:27, 30, 32; Luke 7:41; 11:4; 16:5).

As in the case of the Christian, being willing to suffer the loss of justice, while at the same time perhaps losing the appearance of integrity is the standard.

God is the ultimate repay-er, and Judge of the universe.

What we sometimes don’t see is that the act of forgiveness, is a true act of love (which is not done to be seen of man, a true act of charity ~ Matt. 6); not based on emotions, but based on sacrificially putting someone else before our self – suffering for them, paying the price for them as Christ paid the price for us on a much grander scale.

Now setting the obvious aside let us get into the meat of the issue, wherein I posed the following questions, which are:

1. To forgive others, must they ask for forgiveness first?
2. Must they admit that they have wronged us?
3. Must they repent (change their mind) of having wronged us?

In consideration of what was said prior these questions seems somewhat ridiculous, yet what we must understand is that concerning the subject of forgiveness there’s actually 3 different considerations that must be made.

Therefore in attempting to address these questions, I will do this by addressing forgiveness concerning 3 different types of application.

There is the application of forgiveness concerning:

1) God
2) Individual Believers
3) The Body of Christ

Please bear with me and I will explain.

1) Concerning: God and Forgiveness
Below is listed every New Testament passage utilizing the word “forgive.”

A majority of times it is used in the Gospels concerning Christ physically healing an individual and drawing a connection with that and the connections to forgiveness of sins – many have stumbled over this connection, either teaching that since forgiveness of sins is offered to all, so is healing.

It is in understanding that sickness is a result of sin which was introduced into the world by man’s choice not to trust or have faith in God.

And that when someone made the effort to come to Jesus for healing, or was brought to Jesus by others, this effort is an effort based upon faith.

The connection between forgiveness and healing is not that obvious, yet simple.

When people would come to Jesus to receive healing for sicknesses, which were introduced by sin; it was an act of fact, which is the opposite of the first sin, the thing that separated us from God – a lack of faith.

The connection between these two is faith, not healing in of it’s self.

If the connection was healing, meaning we were guaranteed healing, the same as we are guaranteed salvation by the act of faith, by God’s grace, then we would not ever die – death comes because of sin in the body, as it is dieing from the day we are born, and if God was going to heal us the same as He save us, would it not be complete.

The point being made here is that in majority of gospel passages which utilize the word “forgive” connote the healing of physical disease, with the healing of spiritual disease; both asserting to faith.

The tie-in concerning forgiveness here is faith.

First things First
One of the misnomers I commonly hear is that we are saved by faith.

While seemingly (connotatively -generally speaking), this appears true; in reality it is incorrect (denotatively).

We are not saved by or through faith; we are saved by, or through grace.  Grace has been defined as meaning:

“God’s unmerited favor”

Whereas mercy is defined as:

“Not receiving punishment that is deserved”

Grace and mercy are not synonymous (see Warren Wiersbe: “Wiersbe Expository Outline”, notes on Ephesians 2:8), yet are necessary for salvation.

The mercy of God is seen in the grace of God, and that when a person becomes a child of God their sins are forgiven them; having been paid for them by someone else – being placed upon Jesus who paid for them in the believer’s place (1 John 3:5; even becoming sin unto the Father ~ 2 Cor. 5:21).

This is mercy in that the believer does not pay for the sins himself, yet it is also grace in that he becomes a child of God (Gal. 4:5), which is why God applies His mercy.

It is biblically correct to say that man is saved by grace – Gods unmerited favor (favor cannot be given to a criminal, the criminal must first be given mercy in order to receive the grace – he receive mercy to have his sentence expunged and be released from prison before he can live in freedom to experience grace to live in liberty – we receive the favor because God has applied the mercy to His children).

I know I’ve gone out into the weeds, but what must be understood is not getting hung up in the idea that grace implies mercy (it does), or that mercy can be applied without grace (it can).

What must be remembered is that were saved not because we trade faith for salvation, which is bartering; no we receive salvation because of God’s grace (Rom. 4:16 ~ “by grace”), yet the application to that grace – the way to get to the grace – the way to enter into the grace, is mandated by faith (Rom. 1:17).

We must trust God that the grace that He’s given us is sufficient for salvation.

We must also trust what God has said concerning salvation (as well as everything else He has said), which would include that we are sinners incapable of saving ourselves; as well as the idea of repentance (which is more than this simplistic idea of a one time act, or the feeling of sorrow, remorse, regret, or contrition); which according to the Greek is changing our mind, yet changing our mind in such a way that it also changes the direction we are traveling.

We cannot have faith that God will save us from our sins, and not trust Him after that (Rom. 1:17 ~ the expression: “from faith to faith” means to live by faith, exercising active faith, after active faith – “shall live by” is a verb in the perfect tense, meaning it “never stops”).

Faith is the basis of a relationship, not a singular act.  Faith is God’s requirement in order for us access to His grace – God’s unmerited favor is salvation, and it is completely a gift.

Ephesians 2:8 is the great passage concerning salvation, grace, and faith, yet we need to read the previous 7 verses to fully understand the connection between mercy and grace as well, which states:

“And you hath he quickened, [“made alive”] who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation [“lifestyle”] in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened [“made alive”] us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (“grace” is the gift here, not “faith.”  Grace has the article ~ this reference concerning “the gift” is addressed directly to the “grace,” as is seen in the fact that the word “that” is in the neuter gender, and the word “faith” is in the feminine [it has the whole sentence that goes before for its antecedent – thus “grace”] – therefore it cannot refer to the word “faith,” but must be applied to the word “grace” [see Warren Wiersbe – above reference] “salvation is a gift, not a reward.”  However, concerning faith, there are other passages that refer to the ability to exercise saving faith as an enablement of the Holy Spirit [John 6:44 ~ “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father”.] – given from God [“unto you it is given” “not only to believe on him” ~ Phil. 1:29]; and as is also seen in Romans 8:30 in regards to the word “called;” which is a reference to the Holy Spirit enabling us to perceive and comprehend spiritual matters, wherein faith is obtainable.  It is concerning faith, that the Holy Spirit gives us the ability to see, yet it is our responsibility to continue to act in faith / to live by faith / to exercise faith by trusting according to spiritual sight, not physical sight – 2 Cor. 5:7 – it is a lifelong endeavor because of the mindset wherein confidence is added to belief – the confidence is a reference to God and His Word as is referred in Romans 10:17): Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  (Ephesians 2:1-10)

To conclude concerning forgiveness and God.  God cannot forgive man unless he exercises faith, rather it was when Jesus walked on the earth and healed men, or when He died on the cross for their sins.

Neither Jesus, nor God the Father have ever displayed in God’s Word the ability to forgive men without men asking for that forgiveness as seen in their behaviors by acts of faith.

Sin is the problem, grace is the solution, faith provides access to the solution.

When it comes to forgiveness and God, the sinner must seek that forgiveness, period.

2) Concerning: Individual Believers and Forgiveness
The above first paragraph answered this question.

It should be obvious that this question can only be concerning believers, not unbelievers; as the Bible is not the standard of living for nonbelievers.

The Bible is God’s pronouncement of death upon all who are sinners that refuse to respond in faith to God’s gift of grace found in salvation.

Goats are goats, sheep are sheep; and expecting a goat to be a sheep is as ridiculous as expecting the nonbeliever to comprehend or be held to the same standards as a believer.

The unbelievers will be judged by God’s Word, according to all that it says concerning them in their behaviors.

Yet, concerning the believer, Gods Word gives life.

And though God’s standard, the law; should be followed by ALL in reference to a more civilized world, you can’t expect unbelievers to do so anymore than expecting a dog to fly, it is not who they are, it’s not what they were made for – birds fly, dogs walk (I know it’s a stupid analogy, I’m getting tired).

Therefore, it is believers, and believers alone that are indwelt by the Holy Spirit given supernatural abilities to perceive truth, and exercise righteousness; and therefore exercise Biblical forgiveness.

This question was addressed in a general way in the first paragraph, yet I will more specifically address it now.

In my original post where I laid out the 3 questions I ended by asking the reader to consider two passages of Scripture which appear to address the subject of forgiveness and the believer.

The first passage of Scripture was Matthew 5:23-26, which states:

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”

Concerning the believer and forgiveness, this passage was taken from the “Sermon on the Mount,” and though it was given to the population at large, it is apparent that Jesus was referring to the behavior of a believer as compared to a nonbeliever.

And we know that even though Christ, at this time had not died on the cross, individuals were saved in the Old Testament as they were in the New Testament, by faith.  In the New Testament by faith in Christ as a sacrificial lamb of God.

In the Old Testament by faith that God was presenting a Messiah, a deliver that would deliver the people from their sin and their enemies.

Though many at the time of the Old Testament seem to misunderstood the means that this forgiveness would be provided, the Old Testament is full of teaching concerning the sacrificial death of the suffering servant (Isaiah chapter 53) as seen in the Messiah, not just a great leader on a horse of war that would rescue Israel from their enemies (Zechariah 9:9-10).

It is obvious from a simple reading of the Psalms and Proverbs; that God has taught his people that they’re sin brought death, and it was God that would bring salvation according to faith in Him.

It takes only a simple reading of Hebrews Chapter 11 to examine how faith in the Old Testament as well, as a New Testament has always, and only been the way of salvation.

It is a miss-teaching of the church, and heretical to propose the idea that salvation was different in the Old Testament as it is in the new (I will not take on this subject now as this post would be many more pages long – if anyone desires for me to teach on faith and the Old Testament, please say so when I will – this is a subject that will be eventually covered).

Therefore, it is obvious that Christ’s words here are meant for the believer concerning the text at hand, as the individual pictured here is someone that is bringing an offering, referred to as a “gift,” to the Temple.

The subject matter of this section of text is anger as stated in the previous verses and afterwards, yet the principle is that of reconciliation – and reconciliation is the application of forgiveness (which Paul also addresses concerning your vision within the body ~ 1 Cor.11).

The idea here is the individual taking his gift has offended someone else, and Christ instructions are that before we do exterior acts of worship, address the interior violations of having wrong someone else.

Christ goes on to explain the secular reasoning behind this concerning avoiding litigation and temporal judgment.

Yet, we understand that this passage is instructing us as believers to take ownership of our wrong behavior.

The application does not support the idea that the individual that Christ is speaking about is innocent of the charge, quite the opposite.

For to imply something that is not in the text would not be like Christ, and would be tenement to deception.

So to conclude, concerning an individual that is a believer; if we have injured someone else we are to go to them to seek forgiveness, to provide for reconciliation.

And if it is our fault we are to ask forgiveness, if there has been a misconception it is our responsibility to straighten it out, we are never asked to lie, to ask forgiveness when we have not done anything wrong.

Yet, humility is always the mindset we should possess.  And concerning the forgiveness of others, Luke 17:4 teaches us to repeatedly forgive those have that have wronged us.

However, this does not mean that we make ourselves vulnerable to individuals who had displayed a propensity to harm us, that is not forgiveness that is stupidity.  It is wisdom that we are called to exercise.

I believe by examining the below listed Scriptures concerning forgiveness it is obvious that forgiveness is more than the simple act of forgiving an individual a singular wrong; I believe it is a mindset willing to forgive individuals; because God has forgiven us such a great wrong that we have committed.

3) Concerning: The Body of Christ and Forgiveness
The expression, “The Body of Christ,” as first coined by Paul in Romans 7:4; is more than a simple description of the church of Jesus Christ, according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Indeed it is a synonym in presenting clarity into how the assembly of believers is not only to function concerning itself, but also the outside world.

Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4; are good places to start an investigation concerning the church as the body of Christ.

What must be understood is that the church is to function as a whole – differently than individual believers in certain matters.

This is the reason I presented the second passage in the original question which was taken from Matthew 18:15-20, which states:

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

This passage is the single most complete description of how to handle church discipline found within the Gospels, and therefore is pertinent to our question concerning forgiveness.

What we see is that when a believer is victimized by another believer they don’t just simply forgive the person and let it go, they don’t act like it didn’t happen, they deal with it because if the other person has sinned against them and they function within the body of Christ and are not dealt with, there is no deterrent to keep them from committing the same sin against another member of the body of Christ.

The point is that the church is to function differently as the individual.

Where as individuals we are never to hold grudges, and I believe it is Christ-like to forgive individuals without asking; yet within the church, if somebody has victimized us we don’t have the individual option to do as we choose according to this passage.

The reason why it would be synonymous to a rape victim not bringing charges against their perpetrator; which in turn would allow the perpetrator to keep raping others.

Within the church sin is always to be dealt with, which would mandate a confession of that sin and therefore and asking up forgiveness.

If we follow this passage we understand that when the sin is first committed we go alone to address it with that brother.

What this means is we don’t gossip, and tell others about the situation, the idea here is to keep this private.

However if the individual does not repent, then we are to bring one or 2 other members of the body in the hope that between the multiplicity of witness they could convince the perpetrator of his error.

Yet, also the reason for bringing others is to serve as a witness concerning the situation in case the perpetrator does not repent; you take your witnesses to the church as a whole.

Then the church as a whole will address the perpetrator, and if he will not repent he is to be excommunicated, kicked out of the body.

The idea is we are not to allow sin to run rapid in the church.  We see this in 1 Corinthians chapter 5 where the church refused to deal with sexual immorality within the body.

Then in the next chapter Paul goes on to rebuke them that they cannot judge matters within the church, and therefore individuals go to civil authorities to address problems when they should have went to the church first.

You see the answer isn’t as simple as one would think.

So we understand that we are to maintain an attitude of forgiveness according to Christ words, yet when it comes to wrongs committed within the church we hold people accountable and they must ask for forgiveness.

This doesn’t have to be a drawn out process, complicated by procedural guidelines; yet sin does have to be dealt with within the body of Christ.

In the evidence of what happens when this doesn’t occur can be seen in a majority of churches across America.

I said before that narcissism or self-centeredness is a hallmark of the current church as a whole, wherein a lack of doctrinal teaching abounds.

It is because of this self-centeredness coupled with incorrect teaching that church discipline does not take place; that the church of Jesus Christ is as a whole lacks the power that it had as seen in the first century.

Yet, none of this is a surprise to God and is seen as prophesied in God’s Word.

Congratulations to any that have completed this post; I would spur you on to now examine the post on “Judgment,” which is connected with this subject as well.

SIDETRIP: I have been told many years ago by a good friend that due to the complexity and exhaustive nature of my essays and teachings; few people would fully take advantage of what I had to present.

What is amazing is that prior to this the Holy Spirit had communicated to me this very message – very directly, advising me to continue on preaching the word, that few believers would pay attention and display the discipline necessary to take advantage of the depth of biblical insights that I was presented with.

Yet, this was the way I learned what I learned, and what it meant was that when I ran into individuals that were the same, the value was so immense that I disciplined myself to follow their example.

Therefore, if you find yourself tiring of my exhaustive presentations, you’re not alone.

Yet, to the very few that spend their time reading these presentations, I pray that your grasp of Biblical faith and God’s Word will be blessed according to the discipline that you exercise.  The benefit I can promise you is this.

You may not seem (appearance wise) more sinless (as some see sin in their self-righteousness, and are self-deluded), you won’t have less tribulation, maybe even more; but you come to a place where no matter what happens you always trust in God’s control of your life, especially when it makes no sense.

This is not a boast, anyone that sees reality enough can take no credit for seeing what is obvious to anyone making the observation – Once our eyes have been opened by the Holy Spirit, and we follow God’s Word to seek faith through sending time in God’s Word, I believe it is only natural, spiritually speaking to have complete trust in God.

May not life what comes into my life, and many times done; but I trust God, His track record in His Word and in my life can only create faith.

Listed below is every passage in the New Testament which utilizes the word “forgive” and any of its derivatives:

I And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (Matthew 6:12)

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  (Matthew 6:14)

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:15)

And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. (Matthew 9:2)

For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? (Matthew 9:5)

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (Matthew 9:6)

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. (Matthew 12:31)

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (Matthew 12:32)

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? (Matthew 18:21)

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:35)

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. (Mark 2:5)

Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? (Mark 2:7)

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? (Mark 2:9)

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) (Mark 2:10)

Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: (Mark 3:28)

But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: (Mark 3:29)

That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. (Mark 4:12)

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25)

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:26)

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. (Luke 5:20)

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? (Luke 5:21)

Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? (Luke 5:23)

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. (Luke 5:24)

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37)

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. (Luke 7:47)

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. (Luke 7:48)

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? (Luke 7:49)

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (Luke 11:4)

And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. (Luke 12:10)

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (Luke 17:3)

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luke 17:4)

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31)

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. (Acts 8:22)

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38)

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18)

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (Romans 4:7)

So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. (2 Corinthians 2:7)

To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; (2 Corinthians 2:10)

For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. (2 Corinthians 12:13)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14)

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Colossians 2:13)

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. (1 John 2:12)

Thanks all, bb

“To most Christians, the Bible is like a software license. Nobody actually reads it.
They just scroll to the bottom and click ‘I agree.'”